mindTweak #9 | 07 May 2025
Do you ever feel stuck between dreaming big and making progress? You might imagine financial freedom, a dream home, or early retirement—but when those ideas remain vague without a concrete plan, they’re likely just wishes, not real goals.
I’ve been there. For years, I thought I was setting goals, but it wasn’t until I realized what I called “goals” were actually just dreams.
After hitting a roadblock, I discovered four critical mistakes in my approach. Here’s what I learned the hard way.
Mistake #1: I mistook my dreams for goals
Dreams inspire us, but they’re often vague and distant. A dream is a broad, imaginative vision of what you want in life. Saying, “I want to be rich.” “I want to retire early and travel the world someday” feels exciting – but without specificity or a clear path, they’re just fantasies. Dreams are the spark that ignites our ambitions—but without structure, they remain just out of reach.
I learned that dreams are just the starting point – not the finish line.
Mistake #2: I treat my wish list like a real plan
I recall an exercise where I was tasked with listing 100 things I wanted to achieve in life. I struggled to reach 70 items, and later, I couldn’t even find that notebook. This experience taught me that a wish list is just a collection of “wants” or “nice ideas,” not a committed plan.
I learned that while my wish list is more specific than dreams, it remains passive and unstructured; it’s often relegated to the “maybe someday” category.
It was only when I understood the crucial difference between dreams, wish lists, and real goals that my approach began to shift.
In contrast to dreams and wish lists, real goals are specific, actionable, and time-bound. That’s when it clicked for me – I need to get specific if I want to achieve my goals.
Saying “I’ll save money” is well-intentioned but vague, and it’s like telling my friend “We can’t meet as often as we have it now” – it never actually happens. But when I switched to “I’m putting aside 5 mil a month plus 20% of my bonus to save 200 mil in 2 years,” I saw a significant increase in my savings. It’s the difference between daydreaming and actually making moves.
But here’s the hard truth I discovered: despite this improved approach, my goals weren’t always working as expected. While part of this was due to execution challenges, I realized there were more fundamental issues in my process.
Mistake #3: I was pursuing goals that weren’t truly my own
Looking back at one struggling business unit I led, I now realize a critical flaw – the goals I set weren’t truly my long-term aspiration. At the time, I thought they were. After all, they seemed like a logical choice because they drew from my successful professional experience and what I’d seen successful colleagues achieve. This combination convinced me that these objectives were right for me and that I had what it took to succeed
But the disappointing results forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth: just because a goal worked for me in my professional career – or for impressive colleagues I respected – didn’t automatically make it right for me to pursue in my business endeavors.
Mistake #4: I set goals but overlooked the importance of enjoying the process”
I learned to craft perfect SMART goals—specific, measurable, and time-bound. I could analyze what I truly wanted and break it down into logical steps. But in my focus on getting the formula right, I overlooked a crucial aspect: the “feeling good factor.”
Initially, the system worked. When results met expectations, I felt satisfaction. But when challenges arose, my focus shifted to a “do or die determination.” I prided myself on resilience—”bouncing back” became my mantra—but I was unaware of how the weight of my goals was bending my spine. They had shifted from aspirations into obligations, from “I want to” into “I must.”
The turning point came when I recognized this subtle shift: I had become a “have-to” person, approaching every goal with an all-or-nothing mindset.
“While accountability is crucial, I realized I could approach it with my usual serious tone (aka Hany’s style) and a dash of playful purpose—and the latter transforms everything, because who says Hany can’t learn to be fun?”.
Now I’ve learned two key takeaways.
First, I revisit my goals—in all areas of my life—to ensure they’re things I choose to do, not have to do. I’ll make sure I’m in control of my goals, not being driven by them.
Second, I welcome my “feeling good” side to be a part of my journey. While I’m good at setting cognitive goals and action plans, I now incorporate the “feeling good factor” along the way.
So, ask yourself: Are you cultivating a dream, curating a wish list, or pursuing a real goal? If your ambitions seem unclear, it’s time to refine them. Clarify your objectives, commit to a timeline, and take consistent action. Because the bridge between dreaming and achieving isn’t based on wishful thinking—it’s built on strategy.
Final Note,
It took me years of trial and error to learn these lessons— but that’s just life, isn’t it?
Through this process, I’ve transformed from someone with low self-esteem and a serious demeanor into a confident woman with resilience. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, work on limiting beliefs, and cultivate the mindset that I am good enough, and that I’ll ultimately live the life I deserve.
Dreams inspire us. Goals guide us.
The great thing? With the right system and mindset, turning dreams into achievable goals is possible. You’ll still face challenges, but at a minimum, the direction and framework will be in place.
So—are you ready to turn those dreams into goals and start making real progress? Let’s work together to achieve our goals!
hanygung
A “mind tweak” is about empowering you to see new possibilities and take control of your financial and emotional growth. It represents a small but powerful adjustment in how you think—helping you refine your mindset or approach to finances and life.
While these insights can inspire positive change, they are not a substitute for professional advice. For deeper emotional, psychological, or financial challenges, please seek support from a qualified professional.
